Heat-dissipating pipe module

ABSTRACT

A heat-dissipating pipe module includes a first pipe unit including a first pipe member disposed at an elongate pipe-mounting portion of a cabinet for housing electronic equipment. A first connecting member engages threadably an end of the first pipe member. At least one side opening is in fluid communication with the first pipe member and is directed toward the electronic equipment. A second pipe unit includes a second pipe member disposed at the elongate pipe-mounting portion, a second connecting member, and at least one side opening. A major portion of the second pipe member has an inner diameter smaller than that of a major portion of the first pipe member. The second connecting member engages threadably the first connecting member and the second pipe member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Taiwanese application no. 097124867, filed on Jul. 2, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a heat-dissipating pipe module, more particularly to a heat-dissipating pipe module adapted to be mounted in a cabinet for housing electronic equipment therein.

2. Description of the Related Art

Heat is generated by electronic equipment during operation. Therefore, it is necessary to dissipate heat from the electronic equipment.

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional heat-dissipating pipe module 8 is adapted to be mounted in a cabinet 9 that includes a box body 91 for housing superposed electronic equipment 90 therein, and four elongate pipe-mounting portions 92 disposed respectively at four corners of the cabinet 9. Air outside of the cabinet 9 is introduced into the box body 91 by the heat-dissipating pipe module 8, mixes with high temperature air inside the box body 91, and then is discharged out of the box body 91 through a vent hole (not shown) disposed at the box body 91 or a venting device (not shown). The heat-dissipating pipe module 8 comprises a plurality of pipe members 81 mounted at one of the pipe-mounting portions 92 that have the same inner diameter, and a closure member 82. The pipe members 81 are mounted in succession along a vertical direction. Each of the pipe members 81 includes a side opening facing toward the electronic equipment 90. The closure member 82 engages threadably and seals one end of the lowermost pipe member 81.

By use of a fan (not shown), air flows into the pipe members 81, and toward the electronic equipment 90 through the side openings 811 of the pipe members 81. Thus, the electronic equipment 90 can be cooled.

However, since the pipe members 81 have the same inner diameter, flow rate of the air in the pipe members 81 decreases gradually from the uppermost pipe member 81 toward the lowermost pipe member 81. As such, heat cannot be dissipated effectively from the lowermost electronic equipment 90, thereby reducing the operating efficiency of the lowermost electronic equipment 90.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the invention is to provide a heat-dissipating pipe module capable of alleviating the above drawback of the prior art.

Accordingly, a heat-dissipating pipe module of the present invention is adapted to be mounted in a cabinet that includes a box body for housing electronic equipment therein and at least one elongate pipe-mounting portion. The pipe module includes a first pipe unit including a first pipe member adapted to be disposed at the elongate pipe-mounting portion and adapted to be connected to a driving source that drives airflow. A first connecting member engages threadably an end of the first pipe member distal from the driving source. At least one side opening is in fluid communication with the first pipe member and is adapted to be directed toward the electronic equipment. A second pipe unit includes a second pipe member adapted to be disposed at the elongate pipe-mounting portion, a second connecting member, and at least one side opening in fluid communication with the second pipe member and adapted to be directed toward the electronic equipment. A major portion of the second pipe member has an inner diameter smaller than that of a major portion of the first pipe member. The second connecting member engages threadably the first connecting member and the second pipe member. The second pipe member is communicated fluidly with the first pipe member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional heat-dissipating pipe module adapted to be mounted in a cabinet for housing electronic equipment therein;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a heat-dissipating pipe module of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the heat-dissipating pipe module mounted in a cabinet for housing electronic equipment therein;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the heat-dissipating pipe module of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a heat-dissipating pipe module of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a heat-dissipating pipe module of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a heat-dissipating pipe module of a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the heat-dissipating pipe module mounted in a cabinet for housing electronic equipment therein;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a heat-dissipating pipe module of the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a heat-dissipating pipe module of a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before the invention is described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying embodiments, it should be noted herein that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a first preferred embodiment of a heat-dissipating pipe module of the present invention adapted to be mounted in a cabinet 1 is shown. The cabinet 1 includes a box body 11 for housing superposed electronic equipment 2 therein and four elongate pipe-mounting portions 12. The heat-dissipating pipe module comprises a first pipe unit 3 including a first pipe member 31 adapted to be disposed at one of the elongate pipe-mounting portions 12 (hereinafter referred to as the pipe-mounting portion) and adapted to be connected to a driving source (not shown) that drives airflow. A first connecting member 32 engages threadably an end of the first pipe member 31 distal from the driving source. A side opening 30 is formed in the first pipe member 31 and is adapted to be directed toward the electronic equipment 2. The end of the first pipe member 31 distal from the driving source is an internally threaded end 311. The first connecting member 32 is tubular and has an internally threaded portion 325, and an externally threaded portion 326 engaging the internally threaded end 311 of the first pipe member 31.

A second pipe unit 4 includes a second pipe member 41 adapted to be disposed at the elongate pipe-mounting portion 12, a second connecting member 42, and two side openings 40 formed in the second pipe member 41 and adapted to be directed toward the electronic equipment 2. The second pipe member 41 has two opposite internally threaded ends 411. The second connecting member 42 is tubular and has an internally threaded portion 425 and an externally threaded portion 426 engaging the internally threaded portion 325 of the first connecting member 32 and the upper internally threaded end 411 of the second pipe member 41. The second pipe member 41 has an inner diameter smaller than that of the first pipe member 31. The second pipe member 41 is communicated fluidly with the first pipe member 31.

A third pipe unit 5 is adapted to be disposed at the elongate pipe-mounting portion 12. The second pipe unit 4 further includes a third connecting member 44. The third pipe unit 5 includes a third pipe member 51, a tubular fourth connecting member 52, a closure member 54, and two side openings 50 formed in the third pipe member 51 and adapted to be directed toward the electronic equipment 2. The third pipe member 51 is aligned with and adjacent to the second pipe member 41, has two opposite internally threaded ends 511, and is communicated fluidly with the second pipe member 41. The closure member 54 engages threadably and seals one of the internally threaded ends 511 of the third pipe member 51 that is distal from the second pipe member 41. The tubular fourth connecting member 52 has an externally threaded portion 526 engaging one of the internally threaded ends 511 of the third pipe member 51 proximate to the second pipe member 41. The third pipe member 51 has an inner diameter smaller than that of the second pipe member 41. The third connecting member 44 engages threadably the externally threaded portion 526 of the fourth connecting member 52 and one of the internally threaded ends 411 of the second pipe member 41 that is distal from the first pipe member 31. The second pipe member 41 is communicated fluidly with the third pipe member 51.

The driving source drives airflow into the heat-dissipating pipe module mounted in the cabinet 1. Air flows from the first, second, and third pipe units 3, 4, 5, and then is directed toward the electronic equipment 2 through the side openings 30, 40, 50. An exhaust fan module (not shown) is provided to force air out of the cabinet 1 after heat exchange, such that heat convection is also conducted to further cool the electronic equipment 2. Due to the differences among the inner diameters of the first, second, and third pipe members 31, 41, 51, the flow rate of the air in the second pipe member 41 is not slower than that of the first pipe member 31, and the flow rate of the air in the third pipe member 51 is not slower than that of the second pipe member 41. Therefore, heat exchange efficiency of the present invention is better than that of the prior art.

It should be noted that the combination of the first, second, and third pipe members 31, 41, 51 is not limited to the first preferred embodiment. The number of the first, second, and third pipe members 31, 41, 51 may be changed according to the amount of heat generated by the electronic equipment 20, such that the flow rate of the air can meet heat-dissipating requirements. For example, the second pipe member 41 and the third connecting member 44 are omitted, and the fourth connecting member 52 engages the second connecting member 42 and the third pipe member 51. Moreover, the closure member 54 may be replaced by any component that can seal one of the internally threaded ends 511 of the third pipe member 51 distal from the second pipe member 41.

As shown in FIG. 4, a second preferred embodiment of the heat-dissipating pipe module according to the present invention has a structure similar to that of the first embodiment. The main difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment resides in the following. Each of the first, second, and third pipe members 31, 41, 51 includes two side pipes 312, 412, 512, and a middle pipe 313, 413, 513 disposed between and aligned with the side pipes 312, 412, 512 and cooperating with the side pipes 312, 412, 512 to constitute a major portion of a corresponding of the first, second, and third pipe members 31, 41, 51. Two side openings 30, 40, 50 are formed respectively in the side pipes 312, 412, 512 of each of the first, second, and third pipe members 31, 41, 51. Each end of each of the middle pipes 313, 413, 513 is connected to the corresponding side pipe 312, 412, 512 by a tubular connector 314, 414, 514. The second preferred embodiment has the same advantages as those of the first preferred embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, a third preferred embodiment of the heat-dissipating pipe module according to the present invention has a structure similar to that of the second embodiment. The main difference between this embodiment and the second embodiment resides in the following. Each of the first, second, and third pipe members 31, 41, 51 includes two side pipes 312, 412, 512 constituting the major portion of a corresponding of the first, second, and third pipe members 31, 41, 51, and a middle pipe 313, 413, 513 disposed between and aligned with the side pipes 312, 412, 512 and having two ends engaging respectively and threadably the side pipes 312, 412, 512. Three fan units 7, 71, 72 are disposed respectively in the middle pipes 313, 413, 513. The third preferred embodiment has the same advantages as those of the first preferred embodiment.

It should be noted that the number of the fan units, the side pipes, and the middle pipes may be modified in other embodiments of this invention.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a fourth preferred embodiment of the heat-dissipating pipe module according to the present invention has a structure similar to that of the first embodiment. The main difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment resides in the following. The first pipe member 31 includes a first pipe 310, and a first T-joint 315. The first T-joint 315 has a longitudinal tube portion 315 a aligned with and adjacent to the first pipe 310, and a transverse tube portion 315 b extending perpendicularly from an intermediate portion of the longitudinal tube portion 315 a. The longitudinal tube portion 315 a has a proximate end proximate to the first pipe 310, and a distal end distal from the first pipe 310. A tubular connector 316 extends into and engages threadably the proximate end of the longitudinal tube portion 315 a of the first T-joint 315 and the first pipe 310. The first pipe member 31 further includes a first extension pipe 33 aligned with and communicated fluidly with the transverse tube portion 315 b of the first T-joint 315. The first extension pipe 33 cooperates with the first pipe 310 and the first T-joint 315 to constitute the major portion of the first pipe member 31. The first extension pipe 33 has one end portion engaging threadably an end of the transverse tube portion 315 b of the first T-joint 315, and the other end portion formed with an air outlet 331 that is adapted to be disposed in proximity to the electronic equipment 2.

The second pipe member 41 includes a second pipe 410 aligned with and adjacent to the longitudinal tube portion 315 a of the first T-joint 315, and a second T-joint 415. The second T-joint 415 has a longitudinal tube portion 415 a aligned with the second pipe 410, and a transverse tube portion 415 b extending perpendicularly from an intermediate portion of the longitudinal tube portion 415 a of the second T-joint 415. The longitudinal tube portion 415 a of the second T-joint 415 has a proximate end proximate to the second pipe 410, and a distal end distal from the second pipe 410. A tubular connector 416 extends into and engages threadably the proximate end of the longitudinal tube portion 415 a of the second T-joint 415 and the second pipe 410. The second pipe unit 4 further includes a third connecting member 44 extending into and engaging threadably the distal end of the longitudinal tube portion 415 a of the second T-joint 415. The second pipe member 41 further includes a second extension pipe 43 aligned with and communicated fluidly with the transverse tube portion 415 b of the second T-joint 415. The second extension pipe 43 cooperates with the second pipe 410 and the second T-joint 415 to constitute the major portion of the second pipe member 41. The second extension pipe 43 has one end portion engaging threadably an end of the transverse tube portion 415 b of the second T-joint 415, and the other end portion formed with an air outlet 431 that is adapted to be disposed in proximity to the electronic equipment 2. A major portion of the third pipe member 51 has an inner diameter smaller than that of the major portion of the second pipe member 41. The third pipe member 51 includes a third pipe 510 aligned with and adjacent to the longitudinal tube portion 415 a of the second T-joint 415, and a third T-joint 515. The third T-joint 515 has a longitudinal tube portion 515 a aligned with the third pipe 510, and a transverse tube portion 515 b extending perpendicularly from an intermediate portion of the longitudinal tube portion 515 a of the third T-joint 515. The longitudinal tube portion 515 a of the third T-joint 515 has a proximate end proximate to the third pipe 510, and a distal end distal from the third pipe 510. A tubular connector 516 extends into and engages threadably the proximate end of the longitudinal tube portion 515 a of the third T-joint 515 and the third pipe 510. The third pipe member 51 further includes a third extension pipe 53 aligned with and communicated fluidly with the transverse tube portion 515 b of the third T-joint 515. The third extension pipe 53 cooperates with the third pipe 510 and the third T-joint 515 to constitute the major portion of the third pipe member 51. The third extension pipe 53 has one end portion engaging threadably an end of the transverse tube portion 515 b of the third T-joint 515, and the other end portion formed with two air outlets 531 that are adapted to be disposed in proximity to the electronic equipment 2. The third pipe unit 5 further includes a closure member 54 engaging threadably and sealing the distal end of the longitudinal tube portion 515 a of the third T-joint 515. The fourth preferred embodiment has the same advantages as those of the first preferred embodiment.

The first, second, and third extension pipes 33, 43, 53 are in fluid communication with the first, second, and third pipe members 31, 41, 51, and are adapted to guide the air toward the electronic equipment 2. It should be noted that the first, second, and third T-joints 315, 415, 515 may be formed integrally with a corresponding one of the first, second, and third pipe members 31, 41, 51 in other embodiments of this invention.

As shown in FIG. 8, a fifth preferred embodiment of the heat-dissipating pipe module according to the present invention has a structure similar to that of the fourth embodiment. The main difference between this embodiment and the fourth embodiment resides in the following. The first pipe member 31 further includes a side pipe 312 aligned with and adjacent to the first pipe 310. A middle pipe 313 is disposed between and aligned with the side pipe 312 and the first pipe 310 and has two ends engaging respectively and threadably the side pipe 312 and the first pipe 310. A fan unit 7 is disposed in the middle pipe 313. The fifth preferred embodiment has the same advantages as those of the fourth preferred embodiment.

While the invention has been described in connection with what are considered the most practical and embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

1. A heat-dissipating pipe module adapted to be mounted in a cabinet that includes a box body for housing electronic equipment therein and at least one elongate pipe-mounting portion, said heat-dissipating pipe module comprising: a first pipe unit including a first pipe member adapted to be disposed at the elongate pipe-mounting portion and adapted to be connected to a driving source that drives airflow, a first connecting member engaging threadably an end of said first pipe member distal from the driving source, and at least one side opening in fluid communication with said first pipe member and adapted to be directed toward the electronic equipment; and a second pipe unit including a second pipe member adapted to be disposed at the elongate pipe-mounting portion, a second connecting member, and at least one side opening in fluid communication with said second pipe member and adapted to be directed toward the electronic equipment, a major portion of said second pipe member having an inner diameter smaller than that of a major portion of said first pipe member, said second connecting member engaging threadably said first connecting member and said second pipe member, said second pipe member being communicated fluidly with said first pipe member.
 2. The heat-dissipating pipe module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said end of said first pipe member distal from the driving source is an internally threaded end, and said second pipe member has two opposite internally threaded ends, said first connecting member being tubular and having an externally threaded portion engaging said internally threaded end of said first pipe member, said second connecting member being tubular and having an internally threaded portion and an externally threaded portion engaging said internally threaded portion of said first connecting member and said internally threaded end of said second pipe member.
 3. The heat-dissipating pipe module as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a third pipe unit adapted to be disposed at the elongate pipe-mounting portion, said second pipe unit further including a third connecting member, said third pipe unit including: a third pipe member aligned with and adjacent to said second pipe member, having two opposite internally threaded ends, and being communicated fluidly with said second pipe member; a tubular fourth connecting member having an externally threaded portion engaging one of said internally threaded ends of said third pipe member proximate to said second pipe member; and a side opening in fluid communication with said third pipe member and adapted to be directed toward the electronic equipment, a major portion of said third pipe member having an inner diameter smaller than that of said second pipe member, said third connecting member engaging threadably said externally threaded portion of said fourth connecting member and one of said internally threaded ends of said second pipe member that is distal from said first pipe member, said second pipe member being communicated fluidly with said third pipe member.
 4. The heat-dissipating pipe module as claimed in claim 3, wherein said third pipe unit further includes a closure member, said closure member engaging threadably and sealing one of said internally threaded ends of said third pipe member that is distal from said second pipe member.
 5. The heat-dissipating pipe module as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of said first, second, and third pipe members includes: two side pipes; a middle pipe disposed between and aligned with said side pipes and having two ends, said middle pipe cooperating with said side pipes to constitute the major portion of a corresponding of said first, second, and third pipe members; two said side openings formed respectively in said side pipes; and two tubular connectors each extending into and engaging threadably a respective one of said ends of said middle pipe and a respective one of said side pipes.
 6. The heat-dissipating pipe module as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of said first, second, and third pipe members includes: two side pipes constituting the major portion of a corresponding of said first, second, and third pipe members; a middle pipe disposed between and aligned with said side pipes and having two ends engaging respectively and threadably said side pipes; and a fan unit disposed in said middle pipe.
 7. The heat-dissipating pipe module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first pipe member includes: a first pipe; a first-T-joint having a longitudinal tube portion aligned with and adjacent to said first pipe, and a transverse tube portion extending perpendicularly from an intermediate portion of said longitudinal tube portion, said longitudinal tube portion having a proximate end proximate to said first pipe, and a distal end distal from said first pipe and constituting said end of said first pipe member distal from the driving source; and a tubular connector extending into and engaging threadably said proximate end of said longitudinal tube portion of said first T-joint and said first pipe.
 8. The heat-dissipating pipe module as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first pipe member further includes a first extension pipe aligned with and communicated fluidly with said transverse tube portion of said first T-joint, said first extension pipe cooperating with said first pipe and said first T-joint to constitute the major portion of said first pipe member, said first extension pipe having one end portion engaging threadably an end of said transverse tube portion of said first T-joint, and the other end portion formed with an air outlet that is adapted to be disposed in proximity to the electronic equipment.
 9. The heat-dissipating pipe module as claimed in claim 8, wherein said second pipe member includes: a second pipe aligned with and adjacent to said longitudinal tube portion of said first T-joint, a second T-joint having a longitudinal tube portion aligned with said second pipe, and a transverse tube portion extending perpendicularly from an intermediate portion of said longitudinal tube portion of said second T-joint, said longitudinal tube portion of said second T-joint having a proximate end proximate to said second pipe, and a distal end distal from said second pipe, and a tubular connector extending into and engaging threadably said proximate end of said longitudinal tube portion of said second T-joint and said second pipe, and said second pipe unit further includes a third connecting member extending into and engaging threadably said distal end of said longitudinal tube portion of said second T-joint.
 10. The heat-dissipating pipe module as claimed in claim 9, wherein said second pipe member further includes a second extension pipe aligned with and communicated fluidly with said transverse tube portion of said second T-joint, said second extension pipe cooperating with said second pipe and said second T-joint to constitute the major portion of said second pipe member, said second extension pipe having one end portion engaging threadably an end of said transverse tube portion of said second T-joint, and the other end portion formed with an air outlet that is adapted to be disposed in proximity to the electronic equipment.
 11. The heat-dissipating pipe module as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a third pipe unit adapted to be disposed at the elongate pipe-mounting portion, said third pipe unit including a third pipe member and a fourth connecting member, a major portion of said third pipe member having an inner diameter smaller than that of the major portion of said second pipe member, said third pipe member including: a third pipe aligned with and adjacent to said longitudinal tube portion of said second T-joint, said fourth connecting member extending into and engaging threadably said third connecting member and said third pipe; a third T-joint having a longitudinal tube portion aligned with said third pipe, and a transverse tube portion extending perpendicularly from an intermediate portion of said longitudinal tube portion of said third T-joint, said longitudinal tube portion of said third T-joint having a proximate end proximate to said third pipe, and a distal end distal from said third pipe; and a tubular connector extending into and engaging threadably said proximate end of said longitudinal tube portion of said third T-joint and said third pipe.
 12. The heat-dissipating pipe module as claimed in claim 11, wherein said third pipe member further includes a third extension pipe aligned with and communicated fluidly with said transverse tube portion of said third T-joint, said third extension pipe cooperating with said third pipe and said third T-joint to constitute the major portion of said third pipe member, said third extension pipe having one end portion engaging threadably an end of said transverse tube portion of said third T-joint, and the other end portion formed with at least one air outlet that is adapted to be disposed in proximity to the electronic equipment.
 13. The heat-dissipating pipe module as claimed in claim 12, wherein said third pipe unit further includes a closure member, said closure member engaging threadably and sealing said distal end of said longitudinal tube portion of said third T-joint.
 14. The heat-dissipating pipe module as claimed in claim 12, wherein said first pipe member further includes: a side pipe aligned with and adjacent to said first pipe; a middle pipe disposed between and aligned with said side pipe and said first pipe and having two ends engaging respectively and threadably said side pipe and said first pipe; and a fan unit disposed in said middle pipe. 